Gas spring with improved terminal connector and mounting means

Abstract

An electrically conductive gas spring for use in opening and closing a hinged deck lid of an automotive vehicle and for transmitting electric current to current consuming devices on the deck lid by way of an electrical path which extends between terminal connectors at opposed ends of the spring. The terminal connectors each have integrally formed mounting apertures which are of smaller size than a respective terminal pin upon which the connector is mounted such that the connector tightly and securely engages the outer perimeter of the terminal pin in electrically conductive relation without the need for auxilary threaded fasteners or the like. In one embodiment, the terminal connectors further serve to secure end mounting fittings to the ends of the gas spring without additional fastening means.

I claim my invention as follows: 
     
       1. An electrically conductive gas spring assembly comprising a fluid containing cylinder having closure means at one end thereof, a piston disposed for sliding reciprocating movement within said cylinder, an elongated plunger rod connected to said piston and projecting out the other end of said cylinder for reciprocating movement with said piston, sealing means in said other cylinder end for supporting said plunger rod for sliding reciprocating movement, a terminal pin extending outwardly from said closure means at said one cylinder end, a terminal pin at an outer projecting end of said rod, conductive means electrically connecting said terminal pins through said cylinder and rod, mounting means at said one cylinder end and at said projecting rod end for use in mounting said gas spring between said cylinder end and projecting rod end, a terminal connector mounted on each said terminal pin and having a lead connecting portion, said terminal connectors each having integrally formed means tightly engaging the outer periphery of a respective terminal pin in electrical conducting relation for completing an electrical path between the lead connecting portions of said terminal connectors. 
     
     
       2. The gas spring assembly of claim 1 in which said terminal connectors each have a mounting aperture of a smaller size than a respective terminal pin, and each said terminal pin is forcefully positioned through the mounting apertures of the respective terminal connector and retained therein. 
     
     
       3. The gas spring assembly of claim 2 in which said terminal connectors each have a mounting flange within which said which said mounting aperture is formed, and said mounting flange is relieved about the periphery of said aperture on the side of said flange through which said pin is positioned. 
     
     
       4. The gas spring assembly of claim 3 in which each said terminal connector mounting flange is formed with a conically shaped relieved area about the periphery of the aperture therein which facilitates positioning of the terminal pin through said aperture while resisting removal therefrom. 
     
     
       5. The gas spring assembly of claim 2 in which said terminal connectors each have a mounting flange in which said mounting aperture is formed, said mounting flange of each terminal connector being formed with a curved annular flange about the periphery of the aperture therein which tightly engages the respective terminal pin positioned therein. 
     
     
       6. The gas spring assembly of claim 5 in which said annular flange is curved axially in the direction in which the respective terminal pin is positioned through said aperture such as to facilitate insertion of the pin through said aperture while resisting removal. 
     
     
       7. The gas spring assembly of claim 5 in which each said mounting means is a plastic fitting formed with an aperture for receiving a respective one of said terminal pins, and spring clip means engaging said terminal pin for captively retaining said fitting on said terminal pin. 
     
     
       8. The gas spring assembly of claim 7 in which said spring clip means is received within a slot formed in the respective fitting. 
     
     
       9. The gas spring assembly of claim 7 in which each said terminal connector mounting flange is formed with a locating lug, and each said fitting is formed with a recess for receiving the locating lug of the respective terminal connector for retaining the connector in predetermined angular orientation relative to the fitting. 
     
     
       10. The gas spring assembly of claim 1 in which the mounting means at said one cylinder end and said plunger rod end each are positioned on a respective one of said terminal pins, and said terminal connectors retain said mounting means on the respective terminal pin. 
     
     
       11. An electrically conductive gas spring assembly comprising a fluid containing cylinder having closure means at one end thereof, a piston disposed for sliding reciprocating movement within said cylinder, an elongated plunger rod connected to said piston and projecting out the other end of said cylinder for reciprocating movement with said piston, sealing means in said other cylinder end for supporting said plunger rod for sliding reciprocating movement, a terminal pin extending outwardly from said closure means at said one cylinder end, a terminal pin at an outer projecting end of said rod, conductive means electrically connecting said terminal pins through said cylinder and rod, a mounting member disposed on each said terminal pin for use in mounting said gas spring between said cylinder end and projecting rod end, a terminal connector mounted on each said terminal pin and having a lead connecting portion, said terminal connectors each having integrally formed means tightly engaging the outer periphery of the respective terminal pin for completing an electrical path between the lead connecting portions of said terminal connector and for retaining said mounting member on the respective terminal pin without auxilary fastening means. 
     
     
       12. The gas spring assembly of claim 11 in which said terminal connectors each have a mounting flange formed with a mounting aperture of smaller size than the respective terminal pin, and said terminal pin is forcefully positioned through the mounting aperture of the respective terminal connector and retained therein. 
     
     
       13. The gas spring assembly of claim 12 in which each said mounting member is formed with an aperture for receiving a respective terminal pin and a slot formed transversely of the pin receiving aperture for receiving the terminal connector mounting flange whereby the mounting member is captively secured on said terminal pin upon engagement of the pin by said mounting flange.